GARETH Barry has urged Villa supporters to get behind the club as he attempts to propel Martin O’Neill’s side towards his best ever season.

Villa have tumbled out of two cups and seen Arsenal whittle away a six-point lead and turn it into a three-point advantage over the last six weeks.

They are out of the top four for the first time since they went to Hull City and won at the end of 2008 and face difficult back-to-back games against Manchester United and Everton.

For the first time in almost three years at the club the manager has seen some of his decisions criticised by supporters, with the exit from the UEFA Cup a particularly sore point and his substitution of Gabby Agbonlahor against Tottenham leading to ironic cheers.

In the 12 years Barry has been a professional at Villa Park the best the club have managed in terms of a league placing is sixth, which they have achieved four times under three separate managers.

An FA Cup Final appearance and two League Cup semi-finals does not do Barry’s service justice but he says the current team are still on the verge of greatness.

“The last couple of years have seen the changes that have taken the club in the direction I’ve always wanted it to go in,” he said.

“Some of the results this season have shown how far we have come. It’s great to be a part of it.

“I’ve been here 12 years and I think we all realise that something can be achieved here. It could be the best since I have been here.”

Barry believes a show of unity from the terraces can only help the players as they prepare for the run-in.

After the trip to Manchester United Villa face a make-or-break clash with Everton and follow that up with the visit to Villa Park of West Ham.

Two victories there would get Villa’s season back on track, ahead of further winnable home games against Hull and Newcastle. Barry is aware

Villa have won only once this year at home in the league and not for almost three months.

“It would be great to set that poor form aside and get four or five home victories at home,” he said.

“Fans can always play their part. Some are frustrated because our home form is not as good as it is away.

“But I think that they realise this is the time when it matters and if they are loud and cheering us on that can give us that extra yard and help us push even further.